Union with Christ

On Sunday I preached from Ephesians 1:1-2 where Paul greets the Christians as "the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus." In the coming weeks I'm looking forward to studying the wonderful doctrine of the believer's union with Christ. Paul uses a variation of the phrase "in Christ" eleven times in verses 3-14 of the first chapter. Here are two quotes on the subject:

"To be 'in Christ' is to be personally and vitally united to Christ, as branches are to the vine and members to the body, and thereby also to Christ's people....to be a Christian is in essence to be 'in Christ,' one with him and with his people."
--John Stott, The Message of Ephesians

"Being a Christian is not just a matter of believing a set of doctrines. Of course belief and faith are crucial but the purpose of the work of salvation is to unite us with Christ. This is the heart of what it means to be a Christian. There is a living, vital, dynamic union with Christ that is not theoretical but real."
--Peter Jeffery, Bitesize Theology

Comments (6)

Amen.

Posted by alyssa | September 8, 2008 8:34 PM

Hey Josh,

Its been a little while since we last talked, but just wanted to drop by and say hello. Thanks for coming out to the middle of PA to speak to us a couple of years back (OIL). I am sure the it was a harrowing experience driving wise. :)

Looks like a good series in the making. Will check back when I have a chance.

Posted by Jong Park | September 9, 2008 12:01 PM

There is a little-known book entitled "A Man In Christ" written by James S. Stewart that explores union with Christ (in Paul) in a wonderful way. Here's a quotation:

"The heart of Paul's religion is union with Christ. This, more than any other conception- more than justification, more than sanctification, more even than reconciliation- is the key which unlocks the secrets of his soul. Within the Holy of Holies which stood revealed when the veil was rent in twain from top to bottom on the day of Damascus, Paul beheld Christ summoning and welcoming him in infinite love into vital unity with Himself (p. 147)."

Here's another quote that may sound familiar:

"Paul perceived a Gospel which broke the bondage of legalism, and ended the tyrant sway of prinicipalities and powers, and remitted sin's fearsome penalties, and brought up reinforcements for cowed and beaten human wills, and then stopped there, was no Gospel worthy of the name. Great and marvellous achievements these all might be; but over and above them all, one needful thing was needful, one thing without which all the other glories of redemption must remain sterile and unavailing- the restoration of the lost fellowship with God (p. 208)."
This is Piper's God is the Gospel in the context of a book about union with Christ. Only it was written in 1935.

Josh, may God bless your preaching more than He already has in regard to this most crucial of Gospel realities.

Posted by Mike Osborne | September 9, 2008 1:55 PM

Josh,
This has nothing to do with this post.
I remember a few years ago reading a "Bio" about you on this blog, written by your brothers. It was hilarious. My daughter wants to read it, and I can't find it. Did you take it down? If not, what category is it under?
Thanks.

Posted by Michele | September 10, 2008 2:26 PM

I just wanna say thank you for this post. Really bless me. Yesterday I chat with my colleague. He said during his past life, he was a christian. But now he seldom go to the church. He is weak at the moment and he more enjoys his life today. I do not know how to approach him as he seems do not want to talk about faith. At last when I read this post, I have an answer. Thanks Pastor Josh.

Posted by k8 | September 11, 2008 11:20 AM

I want to thank you so much for this post. I was just reading how vital this subject was for Hudson Taylor, while I was in Sudan. A book that his son Howard wrote, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret (ISBN 978-1-59856-253-8), documents this in a powerful way. Pages 121-138 give a great summation.

This truth is so great.

Love Truth
Vernon

Posted by Vernon Burger II | September 12, 2008 12:39 PM

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